General Open Work Permit

Want to work in Canada? You may be eligible for an open work permit or an employer-specific work permit.

An open work permit lets you work for most employers in Canada, except for employers who have failed to follow labor conditions. Most foreign workers in Canada holds an employer-specific work permit. The open work permit is only issued under special circumstances.

You may be eligible for an open work permit if you:

• are a student who’s no longer able to meet the costs of your studies (destitute student)

• have an employer-specific work permit and are being abused or at risk of being abused in relation to your job in Canada

• applied for permanent residence in Canada

• are a refugee, refugee claimant, protected person or their family member

• are under an unenforceable removal order

• are a temporary resident permit holder

• are a young worker participating in special programs

If you expect to or have recently graduated from a Canadian college or university, you may be eligible for a simpler work permit application. Follow the link to start a Post-Graduation Work Permit.

Services provided by SuperVisas and its Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultants (RCICs): 

• assess your qualifications for the Work Permit Program.

• provide you with a checklist of information and documents required in support of your application.

• guide you through the process of obtaining required documents such as medical and security clearances.

• complete the application forms to ensure that they best show your qualifications.

• review your application package including application forms, supporting documents and Canadian Government processing fees.

• guide, provide editing comments with regard to your application.

• submit your complete application package to the Canadian government.

• communicate any government requests to you and assist you in responding to any government requests.

• communicate the result of your application from the government.